Sunderland looking to tie up more major transfer business for flyer – report

Sunderland are aiming to finalise a deal that would see Marcus Alonso join the club.

The Wearside club are looking to conclude their business with Italian outfit Fiorentina as they look to secure the services of the left back on a permanent basis reports The Sunderland Echo.

Sunderland have been continuously linked with Alonso since the player returned to his parent club at the end of the season. The Daily Mail suggested in late June that a swap deal was a possible option, which would see Modibo Diakite moving to the Italian club in exchange for the left back. This would likely suit Gus Poyet, who has deemed the centre back as surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light.

However, a transfer deal between the club and Fiorentina has so far not come to fruition. Reports have also indicated that Fiorentina may be looking to give Alonso a chance in their first team rather than sell him this season.

The Black Cats will be desperate to see a left back come into the club as they currently have no established player in that position in the squad.

The departure of Jack Colback and Phil Bardsley also meant that players who could cover that position were no longer at the club. It is a position they have struggled with for several season, with loan players filling the role for the past two years.

The 23-year-old Alonso was considered a promising defender in his youth where he came up through the Real Madrid system. After appearing only once for the Spanish side’s senior team he moved to Bolton Wanderers in 2010 before making a switch to Fiorentina in 2013, where he has seen his first-team opportunities limited.